Action plan for Bharalu River near Pragjyotish College
Priority - I
Environment & Forest Department
Government of Assam
ACTION PLAN FOR BHARALU RIVER NEAR PRAGJYOTISH COLLEGE-PRIORITY I
1. Basic information about the Stretch
The river is a non- perennial one. Initially Bharalu River received perennial flow from Bahini River which originates from Khasi Hills of Meghalaya at Umtyrnga and travels a distance of 9.29 Km before confluence with Bharalu River at Jonali point. The width of the River is on an average 14 meters. Since last fifteen years (15) approx. the natural flow of Bahini River has been totally blocked at Natun Bazar area of Basistha Chariali locality with the help of sluice gate. The Bahini river then flows through Lalmati area near Water Resource department where it meets Basistha river and then finally travels as Basistha Bahini River finally to confluence with Deepor Beel. Bahini River from Bakrapara area in Basistha Chariali now becomes a sewerage drain as the natural flow is obstructed at Natun bazar area. It then travels below NH at Beltola and through major areas like AG office Road, Krishnapur, Saurabh Nagar, Rukminigaon, Downtown area, Ganeshguri, Hengerabari, Zoo Road and finally confluences with Bharalu River at Jonali point carrying all the city sewage including commercial sewage. There is no natural flow of the river at present and only the domestic sewage and commercial sewage are being carried away by the river. It is also observed that the river banks are being encroached specially from Sarabbhati area to the confluence point and hence at many places it is becoming narrower as a result of encroachment. The total catchment area of the Bharalu is about 120 sq. km. which is almost equally divided between the hill region and the plains. It is estimated that the river drains an area of 10.94 sq. km. of the city. The catchment area has seen a very rapid urbanisation in recent years and the river has detoured to a large extent due to unabated encroachment and ever-increasing dumping of garbage into it. The velocity of flow in Bharalu River is estimated to be 1.07-1.37 m/sec. The Flood Control and irrigation Department of the Govt. of Assam has erected a sluice structure near the Pragjyotish College at Bharalumukh to regulate the discharge level, particularly to stop reverse flow from the Brahmaputra during high floods.
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1.1. Polluted river stretch/length The length of the polluted stretch of Bharalu River is 6.20 KM with an area of 109 sq.km. (Fig 1). The stretch identified as polluted is from Jonali point to Bharalumukh. The encroachment on the river banks are spreading due to which the width of the river is becoming narrower and shallower.
Fig 1: Map showing the polluted river stretch of Bharalu river
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2. Background: In compliance of the direction of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in the matter of news published in ‘The Hindu’ authored by Jacob Koshy, Tiltled ‘More river stretches are now critically polluted CPCB’, Government of Assam constituted River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) vide memorandum 673/2018 dated 19/12/2018 for effective abatement of pollution, rejuvenation, protection and management of the identified polluted stretches, for bringing the polluted river stretches to be fit at least for bathing purposes within six months
3. Basis of Action Plan for Bharalu polluted river stretch The action plan for rejuvenation, protection and management of the identified polluted river stretch of Assam has been prepared based on the following As per direction of Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in the matter of news published in ‘The Hindu’ authored by Jacob Koshy, Tiltled ‘More river stretches are now critically polluted CPCB’ Comprehensive report on Prevention and Control of Pollution in River Hindon: An Action Plan for Rejuvenation’ [Submitted in compliance to Hon’ble National Green Tribunal]
4. Components of Action Plan (a) Industrial Pollution Control Inventorisation of industries Categories of industry and effluent quality Treatment of effluents, compliance with standards and mode of disposal of effluents Regulatory regime.
(b) Identification, Channelization, Treatment and Utilization of Treated Domestic Sewage Identification of towns in the catchment of river
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Town-wise Estimation of quantity of sewage generated and existing sewage treatment capacities to arrive at the gap between the sewage generation and treatment capacities; Identification of towns for installing sewerage system and sewage treatment plants. Storm water drains now carrying sewage and sullage joining river and interception and diversion of sewage to STPs, Treatment and disposal of septage and controlling open defecation.
(c) River catchment/Basin Management-Controlled ground water extraction and periodic quality assessment Periodic assessment of groundwater resources and regulation of ground water extraction by industries particularly in over exploited and critical zones/blocks. Ground water re-charging /rain water harvesting Periodic ground water quality assessment and remedial actions in case of contaminated groundwater tube wells/bore wells or hand pumps. Assessment of the need for regulating use of ground water for irrigation purposes.
(d) Flood Plain Zone Regulating activities in flood plain zone. Management of Municipal, Plastic, Hazardous, Bio-medical and Electrical and Electronic wastes. Greenery development- Plantation plan.
(e) Ecological/Environmental Flow (E-Flow) Issues relating to E-Flow Irrigation practices
(f) Such other issues which may be found relevant for restoring water quality to the prescribed standards. 5. Action Plan as per direction of Hon’ble NGT The components to be discussed in the action plan for rejuvenation, protection and management of identified polluted stretch of Bharalu river are as follows
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5.1. Industrial Pollution Control Classified industrial units are observed with infrastructural facilities (ETPs, STPs) in the periphery of 109 sq. km of the polluted river stretch along with other industrial establishments. Further directions were issued by the PCBA to all the industrial units which has failed to comply with the discharged norms. Moreover, the Board has also issued direction to build their own set up in their premises which do not have STP/ETP. The classified industry details situated at the radius of the polluted river stretch is presented at Table I.
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Total Water Waste CETPs S.N Consumption (KLD) water Without consent / Name of the Industry Category ETPs OCEMS Gaps KLD generation Directions issued Supplied GW in KLD Existing Proposed Water 1 Guwahati Refinery , 17 -Category NIL 11283 5032 Consent granted Installed; as per NIL NIL Installed NIL IOCL (Petroleum (River records 5032 KLD Refinery) Brahmaputra) of Effluent is treated and reused.
2 DIESEL SHED, NEW RED(Railway 1.1 NIL 1.1 Under process Functional NIL NIL N/A NIL GUWAHATI Locomotive (on query) workshop) Inspection to be done.
3 Guwahati Medical Red NIL 350 280 Under Process STP Functional NIL NIL N/A NIL College & Hospital, Bhangagarh, Guwahati
4 Kiranshree, Athgaon. Green 2 NIL 1.5 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL
5 Monsoon Polymers, City Orange 5 NIL 4 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Complex, Kalapahar.
6 Assam Dyeing Works, Red 2.5 NIL 2 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Cycle Factory, Kalapahar.
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Total Water Waste CETPs S.N Consumption (KLD) water Without consent / Name of the Industry Category ETPs OCEMS Gaps KLD generation Directions issued Supplied GW in KLD Existing Proposed Water 7 Panacea Diagnostic Orange 1 NIL 0.8 Not applied Functional NA NA NA NIL Centre, Rajgarh, Ghy.
8 Hotel Asian Palace, Green 4 NIL 3.2 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Ulubari, Ghy.
9 Sanjay Products, Fatashil Orange 1.5 NIL 1 Granted till Functional NA NA NA NIL Ambari. 31.03.2019
10 Goenka Nursing Home, Orange 30 NIL 30 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Bharalumukh, Ghy.
11 Kumar’s Nursing Home, Orange 10 NIL 10 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Kumarpara.
12 Rapid Diagnostics, Orange 0.2 NIL 0.16 Not applied Functional NA NA NA NIL Sarabhati.
13 Rosa Restaurant, Green 3 NIL 2.4 Under process Not installed. NA NA NA 2.4 Direction issued
14 Makhan Bhog, Ulubari. Green 5 NIL 4.5 Not applied Functional NA NA NA NIL
15 Woodland Marriage Green 5 NIL 4.5 Not applied Not installed. NA NA NA 4.5 Hall, Ulubari. Direction issued
16 Signature Estate (Assam Red 120 NIL 100 Granted STP Provided NA NA NA NIL Plywood)
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Total Water Waste CETPs S.N Consumption (KLD) water Without consent / Name of the Industry Category ETPs OCEMS Gaps KLD generation Directions issued Supplied GW in KLD Existing Proposed Water 17 RK Life Services Pvt. Ltd. Orange 1 NIL 1 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Apollo Clinic, Bora Service. 18 Nemcare Hospital Pvt. Orange 50 NIL 45 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Ltd. Bhangagarh, Ghy.
19 Nemcare Hospital, Orange 60 NIL 52 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, Ghy.
20 Pulse Diagnostic, Orange 1 NIL 0.8 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, Ghy.
21 Primus Diagnostic, Orange 1 NIL 0.8 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, Ghy.
22 Alcare Diagnostic, Orange 3 NIL 2.4 Not applied Functional NA NA NA NIL Lalganesh, Guwahati-34
23 Orthodontic Clinic, Orange 1 NIL 0.8 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, Ghy.
24 Health Care Diagnostic, Orange 0.6 NIL 0.5 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, Ghy.
25 Aruna Memorial Orange 15 NIL 12 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Hospital, Bhangagarh, Ghy. 26 Apex Diagnostic, Orange 1 NIL 0.8 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Bhangagarh, GMCH Road, Royal Market, Guwahati – 05
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Total Water Waste CETPs S.N Consumption (KLD) water Without consent / Name of the Industry Category ETPs OCEMS Gaps KLD generation Directions issued Supplied GW in KLD Existing Proposed Water 27 K.N. Baruah (Bids), Orange 0.4 NIL 0.3 Granted Functional NA NA NA NIL Roodraksh Mall, Ghy.
28 Midland Hospital, RG Orange 10 NIL 9 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Baruah Road, Ghy.
29 Exotica Greens, RG Orange 50 NIL 45 Not applied STP Provided NA NA NA NIL Baruah Road, Ghy.
30 Hariyana Bhawan, R.K.S. Green 5/durin NIL 5 Not applied Not installed. NA NA NA 5 Chowdhury, Narayan g Direction issued Nagar, Bharalumukh, marriag Ghy-9. e party 31 East India Orange 0.4 NIL 0.3 Under process Functional NA NA NA NIL Haemotological Laboratory, Rudraksh Mall, Near Big Bazar, G.S. Road, Bhangagarh, Guwahati-05.
Total 389.7 11633 KLD 5652.86 KLD 11.9 KLD KLD
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Following are the suggestions for control of industrial pollution control The industry that will extract groundwater for manufacturing process should not operate unless they possess valid permission for groundwater extraction from Central Ground Water Authority. No industries should discharge their effluent directly into drains without treatment, rather they should reuse their treated effluent/sewage. Direction to be issued to the units which are not complying to the effluent discharge norms as per Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, by PCBA for ensuring compliance to the discharge norms.
6. Identification, Channelisation, Treatment and Utilization of Treated Domestic Sewage 6.1. Major towns located on the bank Guwahati is the major city located on the bank of the Bharalu river. The approximate population of the Guwahati (Metro) is 655000 as per Census 2011 in the demarcated catchment area of Bharalu river including the floating population. The major localities identified in and around the catchment areas are Tarun Nagar, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Bhangagarh, Ulubari, Sarabbhatti, Bishnupur, Athgaon, Fatashil Ambari, Kumarpara and Bharalumukh. .
6.2. Town wise estimation of quantity of sewage generated and existing sewage treatment capacities
The major town responsible for contribution of sewage in the Bharalu river is Guwahati City. The sewage generated by the Guwahati city at present is around 70740 KL per day. 6.3. Identification of towns for installing sewerage system and sewage treatment plants. As per the survey done three (03) STPs has been proposed at Guwahati city in consultation with the District Administration.
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1 No. of STPs 03 Nos. 2 Capacity of STP 15 MLD, 25 MLD and 35 MLD Total= 75 MLD 3 Identification of 1. At Jonali point town/place for 2. Another near the confluence of Borsola Installation of STPs with Bharalu River at Sarabbhati area. 3. One at just before confluence with Brahmaputra river at Bharalumukh
Sewage generation and gaps in treatment are presented in Table II &III below. Table II: Sewage generation and gaps in treatment at present S.N Area Population Water Sewage No. of Existing Gaps in as per Consumption Generation STPs Treatment KLD 2011 (KLD) @135 (KLD) Proposed capacity census lpcd (KLD) including floating population
1 Catchment 655000 88425 70740 03 NIL 70740 area of Bharalu river
Table III: Total gap in projected population and sewage generation till 2030
S.N Area Projected Water Sewage No. of Existing Gaps in Population Consumption Generation STPs Treatment KLD till 2030 (KLD) @135 (KLD) Proposed capacity lpcd (KLD) 1 Catchment 695000 93825 75060 03 NIL 75060 area of Bharalu river
At present the Bharalu catchment area is over populated. There is no any land availability for future human settlement and expansion within the periphery of the catchment area.
6.4. Water Quality of the river stretch There is one (01) sampling location of Bharalu River at Guwahati Metro district under NWMP as per the following
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Table IV: Monitoring Locations Details
Sampling Location Coordinates Bharalu river near Pragjyotish College 26°10'3.35" N 91°43'52.38" E The change in the water quality of Bharalu river in terms of BOD value for the period 2016-2019 is presented below: Table V: BOD value in mg/l of Bharalu river from the year January, 2016-April, 2019 BOD BOD BOD BOD Value Value Value Value Year (mg/l) Year (mg/l) Year (mg/l) Year (mg/l) Jan-16 35.0 Jan-17 24.6 Jan-18 24.2 Jan-19 18.0 Feb-16 52.0 Feb-17 32.0 Feb-18 17.0 Feb-19 38.0 Mar-16 32.0 Mar-17 38.0 Mar-18 33.0 Mar-19 48.0 Apr-16 20.0 Apr-17 18.0 Apr-18 32.0 Apr-19 54.0 May-16 12.7 May-17 17.8 May-18 18.0 Jun-16 34.0 Jun-17 28.2 Jun-18 20.0 Jul-16 22.0 Jul-17 6.0 Jul-18 18.0 Aug-16 8.2 Aug-17 8.0 Aug-18 26.0 Sep-16 9.0 Sep-17 12.0 Sep-18 14.0 Oct-16 29.0 Oct-17 8.4 Oct-18 9.3 Nov-16 20.4 Nov-17 26.0 Nov-18 36.0 Dec-16 20.1 Dec-17 42.0 Dec-18 16.0
The detail analytical data of the Bharalu river for the month of April 2019 are presented in Table VI Table VI: Latest analysis report of Bharalu river near Pragjyotish College- April 2019
Parameter Value D.O. (mg/L) Nil pH 7.3 Cond(µS/cm) 542 BOD(mg/L) 54 COD(mg/L) 98
NO3 -N (mg/L) 2.6 TSS (mg/L) 118 Turbidity (NTU) 6 p-Alkalinity (mg/L) 0 m-Alkalinity (mg/L) 74
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Parameter Value Hardness (mg/L) 108
Calcium as CaCO3(mg/L) 74 Magnesium as CaCO3 (mg/L) 34 Chloride as Cl- (mg/L) 52 -2 Sulphate as SO4 (mg/L) 54.2
Phosphate as PO4 (mg/L) 0.9 TKN (mg/L) 11.5
NH4-N (mg/L) 3.94 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 326 TFS (mg/L) 82 Fluoride (mg/l) 0.59 Boron (mg/l) 0.027 Na (mg/L) 65.5 K (mg/L) 18.8 Total Iron (mg/L) 0.58 Lead (mg/L) 0.018 Zinc (mg/L) 0.055 Copper (mg/L) 0.008 Total Chromium (mg/L) BDL Nickel (mg/L) BDL Cadmium (mg/L) BDL Mercury (mg/L) BDL Arsenic(mg/L) 0.01 Total Coliform (MPN/100ml) 5300 Faecal Coliform (MPN/100ml) 4200
The above data indicated that the BOD load is above 3 mg/l on all the occasion. This is due to the discharge of untreated sewage directly in to the river.
6.5. Drains contributing to pollution
There were almost 39 outfalls identified in the entire stretches of Bharalu River from its origin at Jonali point up to Bharalumukh and these outfalls are either domestic or commercial. Besides, there are many small household drains which discharges the waste water directly in to the Bharalu River. The details of the drains/outfalls are presented in Table VII and photographs were shown from Figure 2 to Figure 14.
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Table VII: Major drains/ outfall contributing to the pollution load of Bharalu River S.N Major drains/ outfall Locality/area No. of Drains 1 Major outfall at the origin of Bharalu river Jonali 04 Nos. at Jonali Bridge consists of a) One drain is coming from Refinery, Locoshed area b) Other is coming from Bahini River which itself is a sewarage drain. c) Two drains are from domestic sewerage 2 Another drain just about 300 m away from Tarun Nagar 07 Nos. the origin of Bharalu River. 06 more drains /Sluice gate near Tarun Nagar bridge. 3 Major drain at Anil Nagar Pump house Anil Nagar 01 No 4 From Rajgarh Bridge to Kanaklata Bridge Rajgarh 08 Nos. 5 At Kanaklata Bridge one Major outfall Rajgarh 01 No. from Bhangagarh area 6 Below Bhangagarh Bridge at GS Road Bhangagarh 03 Nos. 02 Nos. are from Ulubari end and 01 drain from Bhangagarh end 7 One major commercial outfall from Rupnagar 01 Nos. Borthakur Mill area in the backside of ASTC workshop, Rupnagar 8 Major commercial outfall near Maajhar, Ulubari 01 No. Ulubari from Assam Police Radio Organisatio (APRO) 9 One commercial outfall from B K Kakoti Ulubari 02 Nos. Road below Ulubari Agriculture campus wooden bridge. One more outfall from the premises of agriculture campus, Ulubari 10 Outfall at the starting of R K Mission Ulubari 02 Nos. Road, Ulubari below the bridge 11 At Sarabbhati Chariali, One outfall from Sarabbhati 02 Nos. Arya Nagar and another major outfall from Rehabari 12 Major outfall at sarabbhati Sarabbhati 01 No. 13 Major outfall at Athgaon from Fakirtola Athgaon 01 No. inner drain 14 Commercial outfall from Kumarpara area Kumarpara 02 Nos. 15 Major outfall from Shantipur area near Bharalumukh 01 No. Bharalumukh Sluicegate 16 Major outfall from Kumarpara area near Bharalumukh 01 No. Bharalumukh railway crossing 17 Major outfall from A T Road at Bharalumukh 01 No. Bharalumukh Chowk
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Photographs of the outfalls.
Fig.2: Two outfall at Jonali point
Fig 3. aFiOutfall at Tarun Nagar area
FFF
Fig.4 Anil Nagar outfall Fig.5 Rajgarh outfall
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Fig:6 Bhangagarh outfall
Fig.7 Maajhar outfall Fig.8 Ulubari outfall
Fig.9 R K Mission Road outfall Fig.10 Sarabbhatti Chariali
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Fig.11 Borsola & Sorusola Beel outfall Fig.12 Fakirtola Inner drain outfall
Fig.13 Shantipur area outfall at Bharalumukh Fig.14 AT Road outfall at Bharalumukh
6.6. Characteristics of the major drains The drains mainly carries commercial, industrial as well as residential wastes. Direct dumping of residential and commercial garbage into the channel is making it shallower and heavily silted. As a result, during rainy season water overflows and inundates the areas. It is also observed that the drains of the town are also becoming a regular garbage-dumping site. The water quality of the major drains are presented in Table VIII below:
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Table: VIII Analytical data of the drains outfalling in Bharalu River
(mg/L)
3
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
3
4
2
(mg/L)
-
4
-
As (µg/L)As
(mg/L)
(mg/L)
pH
N (mg/L)
N
-
-
Source
4
3
Fe (mg/L)
K (mg/L)K
-
Na (mg/L)
TFS (mg/L)TFS
TSS (mg/L)TSS
COD(mg/L) TKN
BOD(mg/L)
Cond(µS/L)
T
D.O. (mg/L)D.O.
Boron(mg/l)
NH
NO
Alkalinity (mg/L)
Alkalinity (mg/L)
Fluoride (mg/l)
-
Turbidity (NTU)
-
Zinc as Zn (mg/L)
Lead as Pb (mg/L)
p
Nickel as (mg/L)Ni
m
Arsenic as
Copper as Cu (mg/L)
Chloride as Cl
Mercury (mg/L) as Hg
Total Hardness (mg/L)
Cadmium as Cd (mg/L)
Calcium as CaCO Sulphate as SO
Phosphate as PO
Chromium as Cr(T) (mg/L)
Magnesium as CaCO
Total Dissolved (mg/L) Solids
Total Coliform (MPN/100ML)
Faecal Coliform (MPN/100ML)
Water from refinery locoshed area drain before confluence NIL 7.3 585.0 56.0 146.8 2.8 126.0 8.0 NIL 284.0 182.0 122.0 60.0 62.0 38.0 1.4 13.6 4.2 378.0 92.0 0.56 0.032 48.8 15.9 0.58 0.022 0.058 0.010 BDL BDL BDL BDL 0.010 95000 7500 with Bharalu river at Jonali
Water from drain at Jonali before NIL 7.5 594.0 54.0 142.2 3.0 136.0 12.0 NIL 286.0 178.0 116.0 62.0 64.0 28.4 1.9 14.0 4.4 382.0 94.0 0.59 0.030 52.6 19.4 0.66 0.024 0.056 0.008 BDL 0.002 BDL BDL 0.008 110000 21000 confluence with Bharalu river.
Water from drain after confluence with NIL 7.3 634.0 58.0 156.4 3.3 120.0 10.0 NIL 298.0 200.0 144.0 56.0 60.0 36.6 2.5 13.8 4.2 410.0 98.0 0.56 0.034 58.6 18.2 0.74 0.026 0.062 0.006 BDL 0.004 0.002 BDL 0.010 29000 21000 Bharalui River at Jonali water from drain before confluence NIL 7.4 653.0 54.0 152.6 3.1 128.0 8.0 NIL 320.0 216.0 144.0 72.0 72.0 31.3 2.1 13.4 4.0 422.0 102.0 0.54 0.028 52.8 16.4 0.56 0.022 0.054 0.010 BDL BDL 0.002 BDL 0.008 5300 3600 with Bharalu river at Ulubari Mazar
Water from Sarabbhati drain before confluence NIL 7.4 584.0 56.0 150.8 2.8 136.0 10.0 NIL 224.0 174.0 112.0 62.0 60.0 38.2 2.1 13.6 4.1 374.0 92.0 0.58 0.0 58.2 14.6 0.62 0.028 0.066 0.010 BDL 0.006 BDL BDL 0.010 21000 15000 with Bharalu river at Sarabbhati Water from Bishnupur drain after confluence with NIL 7.4 534.0 50.0 144.8 1.7 130.0 6.0 NIL 256.0 164.0 102.0 62.0 56.0 26.8 1.5 13.8 4.2 344.0 84.0 0.52 0.0 49.3 17.2 0.58 0.026 0.058 0.008 BDL 0.004 0.004 BDL 0.010 110000 21000 Bharalu river at Bishnupur
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6.7. Flow details of the major drains contributing to river pollution The flow details of major drains are presented in Table IX below: Table IX: Flow Details of the Major drains out falling in Bharalu River Flow details of Flow details of Major Drains/Outfall of Type of liquid the major the major S.No the Bharalu River waste drains/outfalls drains/outfalls (m3/s) (MLD) 1 Refinery locoshed area Commercial & 0.22 19.1 drain before confluence Domestic with Bharalu river at Jonali 2 Drain at Jonali before Domestic 0.05 4.32 confluence with Bharalu river. 3 Drain after confluence Domestic 0.03 2.60 with Bharalui River at Jonali 4 Drain before confluence Domestic 0.18 15.56 with Bharalu river at Ulubari Mazar 5 Sarabbhati drain before Domestic 0.14 12.1 confluence with Bharalu river at Sarabbhati 6 Bishnupur drain after Domestic 0.09 7.8 confluence with Bharalu river at Bishnupur 7 Domestic Cumulative flow 10.0 Other minor drains (Approx.) Total 71.48 MLD
6.8. Sewage generation from the towns located on the banks of the polluted river The main contributor of pollution in the river is municipal sewage besides commercial and industrial wastes. There are no treatment systems for the sewages at present. Drains are directly connected to the Bharalu river there by
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finding its way to Brahmaputra river without treatment. Moreover, Sewage treatment facility has not been set up yet in Assam. 6.9. Number of Sewage treatment plants present and treatment capacity, and gaps There is no any sewage treatment plant at present. The gaps in sewage treatment capacity is 71 MLD at present and up to 2030 it is estimated to be 75 MLD 6.10. Number of STPs proposed and capacity As per the survey report on Bharalu river, three (3) numbers of STPs have been proposed along the bank of River Bharalu are at Jonali point, another near the confluence of Borsola with Bharalu River at Sarabbhati area and the last one at just before confluence with Brahmaputra river at Bharalumukh. In this regard, Prinicipal Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Guwahati Development Department has directed Guwahati Municipal Corporation on 11.04.2019 to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the installation of STPs. 6.10. Interception and diversion of drains /in situ treatment given 03 numbers of STPs have been proposed along with interceptor drains for in situ treatment before outfall.
6.11. Drainage system/ sewerage network present/proposed There is no sewerage system at present. In this project 3 numbers of STPs along with interceptor drains for collection of the sewage of the basin has been proposed. All the sewage of the catchment area of the river shall be collected by interceptor drains and shall be treated in the proposed STPs. 6.12. Treatment and Disposal of Septage and controlling Open Defecation Some of the households in the towns are equipped with ordinary septic tanks and the slum dwellers in the catchment areas of the river have kuccha latrines. However, around 2914 toilets have been constructed in the Kamrup metro district under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to achieve open defecation free area. 6.13. Short term measures In- situ treatment of sewage by Bioremediation. Dosing of microbes near the drain outfall of all the drains.
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Strict vigilance of the industries to check that no industrial effluent is out falling in the drains.
Following remedial actions will be taken in consideration of treatment and disposal of sewage Sewage Treatment plant should be installed for treatment Every individual households should be connected to sewer lines. Roadside hotels/restaurants should not be allowed to dispose untreated sewage and solid waste into the nearby drains or rivers. These establishments should be properly regulated by the concerned authority. Public awareness to control open defecation and understand the sanitary hygiene. Local administration should provide proper pucca toilets for the individuals or atleast community toilets through the IHHL scheme under Swachh Bharat Mission.
7. Controlled Ground water Extraction and quality Assessment About 49% of the households rely on tube well to obtain potable water. Very few numbers of the population owns earthen well whereas some of them depends on both supplied water as well as concrete well. The details of estimated ground water resource in Kamrup district is presented below in Table X Table X: Estimation of ground water resource in the Kamrup district Ground water Ground Irrigation Ground water Rain water extraction details water Practices recharging harvesting mechanism Gross Ground Water 1487.29 Minor and Recharging of ground The roof top Draft mcm medium water are done by rainwater irrigation creation of harvesting is Net Ground Water 715.97 schemes such Pond/lakes/reservoirs practiced in Availability mcm as DTW and under government Government STW. schemes. buildings, Stage of Ground Water 43% School and Development Offices.
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Ground water Ground Irrigation Ground water Rain water extraction details water Practices recharging harvesting mechanism Existing draft for 586 mcm Industries Irrigation Use should be encouraged for Future provision for 105.16 roof top rain Domestic & Industrial mcm water Use harvesting.
The Kamrup district is still under ‘Safe’ category and sufficient resources are still available for future development
7.1. Status of Ground Water The water quality is found to be well within the permissible limit for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes. Due to slightly higher content of iron in some sporadic patches of the area and fluoride content exceeding permissible limit in some pockets in and around Guwahati City, water needs to be treated before being used for drinking purpose. 7.2. Ground water Quality of Shantipur area under NWMP (Catchment of River Bharalu) Table XI: Latest analysis report of Ground water from Shantipur area- May 2019 (Under NWMP)
Parameter Value pH 6.8 Cond(µS/cm) 193 BOD(mg/L) 2.7 COD(mg/L) 5.4
NO3 -N (mg/L) 0.7 TSS (mg/L) 20 Turbidity (NTU) 6 p-Alkalinity (mg/L) NIL m-Alkalinity (mg/L) 84 Hardness (mg/L) 62
Calcium as CaCO3(mg/L) 40
Magnesium as CaCO3 (mg/L) 22 Chloride as Cl- (mg/L) 22
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Parameter Value -2 Sulphate as SO4 (mg/L) 14.5
Phosphate as PO4 (mg/L) 0.6 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 116 TFS (mg/L) 28 Fluoride (mg/l) 0.6 Boron (mg/l) 0.028 Na (mg/L) 1.2 K (mg/L) 0.4 Total Iron (mg/L) 0.56 Lead (mg/L) BDL Zinc (mg/L) 0.138 Copper (mg/L) 0.006 Total Chromium (mg/L) BDL Nickel (mg/L) BDL Cadmium (mg/L) BDL Mercury (mg/L) BDL Arsenic(mg/L) 0.004 Total Coliform (MPN/100ml) NIL Faecal Coliform (MPN/100ml) NIL
7.3. Remedial Actions The following remedial actions will be taken in consideration of contaminated ground water sources, controlled ground water extraction and periodic quality assessment Ground water of deeper aquifers should be analyzed for periodic assessment of element like Arsenic, Fluoride, Iron etc. Alternate sources of drinking water should be explored and prioritized. Awareness campaigns about health hazards due to intake of excessive Arsenic, Fluoride are the need of the time. Role of pesticides used for agricultural activity should be carefully observed. Survey should be conducted regarding ground water uses by different categories such as domestic, Industries etc. and also to identify the over exploited and critical areas in the river stretches with respect to ground water extraction. Effective management of industrial effluent or sewage for preventing contamination of ground water sources.
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The industry that will extract groundwater for manufacturing process should not operate unless they possess valid permission for groundwater extraction from Central Ground Water Authority. Strict vigilance and conducting inspection of the industries to rule out any forceful treated effluent injection in to ground water resources. Roof top rain water harvesting techniques should be encouraged for industrial, commercial or individual households and community. 8. Flood Plain Zone The following are the identified flood prone area for the polluted river stretch Name of River Flood plain areas Bharalu River Tarun Nagar, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Bhangagarh, Ulubari, Sarabbhatti, Bishnupur, Athgaon, Fatashil Ambari, Kumarpara and Bharalumukh. .
8.1. Regulating activities in the Flood Plain Zone The following activities need to be regulated in the flood plain zones. S.No Action points Responsible authority
1 Plantation in the flood plain zone Forest Department
2 Checking Encroachment Local administration
3 Demarcation of the flood plain zone Water Resource Department
4 Prohibition of disposal of all kinds of wastes District Administration
8.2. Waste management status and proposed action Table XII: Management of Industrial, Municipal, Hazardous, Biomedical, Plastic and Electronics Waste Sl. Type Status Proposed actions Authority No 1 Industrial Authorisation have been Direction issued to the Pollution Waste granted to different industries industries to identify the Control Board in line with Water act 1974, non-point sources and Assam Hazardous Waste arrest contamination of (Management, Handling and storm water. Transboundary Movement) Directions to be issued Rule, 2008. to the defaulter units. Regular monitoring by PCBA
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Sl. Type Status Proposed actions Authority No to ensure that the terms and conditions are strictly adhered in accordance with the prescribed standards.
2 Municipal Guwahati Municipal Directions have been Guwahati Municipal solid waste Corporation has engaged issued by Pollution Corporation NGOs ward wise for control Board, collection of Municipal Solid Assam to concerned Waste from the generation Municipality Board source itself. in this regard. The wastes are being
segregated into dry and wet waste categories and are Formation of City collected separately. Sanitation task Force Municipal solid wastes are Door-to-door garbage being dumped unscientifically Collection of waste near Boragaon area at present. Implementation of segregation of waste at source Formation of Neighbourhood Community Awareness camapigns Processing and disposal of waste 3 Plastic Dumping is carried out Issue directions to Guwahati Municipal Waste unscientifically in the open Municipal Board to Corporation /Pollution Control space along with the segregate and collect Board Assam municipal waste. plastic waste and No proper segregation of initiate necessary steps to channelize bio-degradable and non- the waste to biodegradable waste authorized agencies No proper segregation of for recycling and dry and wet waste reprocessing Lack of scientific disposal facilities/infrastructure technology like decentralized composting or bio-methanation plant, waste to energy plant, solid waste management plant.
4 Hazardous Hazardous waste are Awareness campaign Pollution Control Waste managed by hazardous regarding health and Board Assam waste generating industries other issues related to
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Sl. Type Status Proposed actions Authority No itself by disposing the same Hazardous waste through authorised recycler, PCBA has initiated secured landfill area, Bio- correspondence with remediation etc. the Govt. of Assam for Lack of TSDF facility for allotment of land for commonly utilization by TSDF. hazardous waste generating industries 5 Bio- Segregation at the source under Four more Common HCF units/Pollution medical Biomedical waste Management Biomedical Waste Control Board Waste Rules, 1998 Treatment Facility Assam The segregated waste is (CBWTF) are proposed transported and then for the other towns of the incinerated by Fresh Air Waste State as one CBWTF is Management Services Pvt. Ltd permitted at a radius of 70 at Common Biomedical Waste kms, Treatment Facility, Panikheti Direction issued to all HCF unit to implement the BMW Rules, 2016 as ammended in all HCF Units. (As per guidelines of CPCB) 6 E –waste Annual return in (Form-3) is Few entrepreneur Pollution Control submitted by E-Waste approached PCBA for Board Assam generating units to PCBA registration and from time to time for authorisation as onwards transmission to Recycler CPCB Most of the e-waste generator have sent their e-waste to their respective manufacturer. There is no authorised recycler, refurbisher, dismantler etc. available to ensure environmentally sound management of E- waste. There is no “facility” wherein the process of dismantling, recycling, and disposal of e- waste are carried out.
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8.3. Bio Medical waste generation and Gaps in treatment (Bharalu river Stretch) Table XIII: Bio Medical waste generation and gaps in treatment (Bharalu river stretch)
BMW Treatment Gaps in Sl. No Name of the HCF units Category Generation facility Treatment (Kg/Day)
Guwahati Medical College & 1 Red 468 Hospital, Bhangagarh, Guwahati
Panacea Diagnostic Centre, 2 Orange 0.8 Rajgarh, Ghy.
Goenka Nursing Home, 3 Orange 4.67 Bharalumukh, Ghy.
Kumar’s Nursing Home, 4 Orange 8.7 Kumarpara.
5 Rapid Diagnostics, Sarabhati. Orange 3.1
RK Life Services Pvt. Ltd. Apollo 6 Orange 6.7 Clinic, Bora Service. Common Bio Medical No Gaps in Waste Bio Medical Nemcare Hospital Pvt. Ltd. 7 Orange 119.3 Treatment Waste in the Bhangagarh, Ghy. Facility catchment Nemcare Hospital, Bhangagarh, (CBWTF) at area of the 8 Orange 80.73 Ghy. Panikhaiti by river. Fresh Air Pulse Diagnostic, Bhangagarh, 9 Orange 5.63 Ghy. Primus Diagnostic, Bhangagarh, 10 Orange 2.2 Ghy.
Alcare Diagnostic, Lalganesh, 11 Orange 4.91 Guwahati-34
Orthodontic Clinic, Bhangagarh, 12 Orange 0.526 Ghy.
Health Care Diagnostic, 13 Orange 0.85 Bhangagarh, Ghy.
Aruna Memorial Hospital, 14 Orange 13.39 Bhangagarh, Ghy.
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BMW Treatment Gaps in Sl. No Name of the HCF units Category Generation facility Treatment (Kg/Day)
Apex Diagnostic, Bhangagarh, 15 GMCH Road, Royal Market, Orange 4.71 Guwahati – 05
K.N. Baruah (Bids), Roodraksh 16 Orange 2.37 Mall, Ghy. Midland Hospital, RG Baruah 16 Orange 7.6 Road, Ghy.
East India Haemotological Laboratory, Rudraksh Mall, Near 17 Orange 0.93 Big Bazar, G.S. Road, Bhangagarh, Guwahati-05.
735.12 Total NIL kg/day
8.3. Gaps identified in Municipal Waste Management Presently, around 393 MT/day of Municipal solid wastes are generated from the catchment area of the river. However, these Municipal solid wastes are being dumped at Boragaon dumping yards which is located 15 km far away from the catchment area. There is no any solid waste management facility in the catchment area of the river. 8.4 Gaps in Industrial waste Management Table XIV: Gaps in Hazardous Waste Management
Sludge Type of Treatment Gaps in S.N Name of the HCF units Category Generation Sludge facility Treatment MTA
1 Guwahati Refinery, RED 1692 Oily Sludge Bio- No Gaps in IOCL, Noonmati, residual remediation Hazardous Guwahati cake at their own Waste premises. Management
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Sludge Type of Treatment Gaps in S.N Name of the HCF units Category Generation Sludge facility Treatment MTA
Total 1692 MTA NIL
8.5 Greenery development - Plantation Plan State has initiated afforestation in the degraded forestland, also raising roadside plantation besides creating check dams/embankments in the river catchment areas to combat erosion and soil conservation. The following remedial actions has to be initiated in consideration of greenery development Raise plantation along the river bank to control the flow run off water directly to the river Bamboo species to be raised as it is a good soil binder thereby stabilize the banks of the river from erosion 9. Environmental Flow (E-Flow) 9.1. Stretch of river perennial or non- perennial/flow available/water usage in the stretch The entire river stretch is non- perennial. There is no any natural flow in the river. Only the city untreated sewage is being discharged directly in to the river. The natural flow of the river is blocked in the upper reaches of the river at Natun Bazar of Beltola area. The reason for blocking the Bahini river water is that it creates artificial flooding in Guwahati city during monsoon season even during a single heavy shower. The velocity of flow in Bharalu River is estimated to be 1.07-1.37 m/sec. Maintenance of E -Flow During lean season the natural flow of the river can be maintained by opening the sluice gate at Natun bazar area from where water from Bahini river enters from Meghalaya. There are no any lakes/Ponds and other water bodies in the catchment area nor any provision for construction of artificial lakes/ponds as the stretch is highly populated and there is no any land availability. 9.2. Irrigation practices in the river/Utilization of treated sewage There is no any irrigation practices at present as the water quality of the river is very poor. However the treated sewage can be used for many purposes which are as follows:
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Treated water can be used for de-dusting of roads in order to minimise the impact of PM 10 and PM 2.5. For irrigation purpose. It can be used for roadside gardening. It can also be used for curing during construction works. Treated sewage can be supplied to industries for non-potable uses.
9.3. Achievable Goals
Designated Best use Class of Water Criteria pH between 6.0 to 8.5
Electrical Conductivity at Irrigation, Industrial 25C micro mhos/cm Cooling, Controlled Waste E Max.2250 disposal Sodium absorption Ratio Max. 26 Boron Max. 2mg/l
10. Identified organisations responsible for preparation and execution of the action plans Organisations responsible for preparation and execution of the action plans are as follows: Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Environment and Forest department Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Urban Development department Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Assam Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board Assam Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation Commissioner to the Govt. of Assam, Water Resource Department Divisional Forest officer, Social Forestry, Basistha, Guwahati -29
11. Monitoring mechanism proposed for implementation of action plans The water quality assessment and evaluation of impacts is necessary to understand the river state at various stages of the project implementation and post implementation of the project. Therefore the water quality assessment and evaluation of the project achievements is essential component for the long term benefit of the project. The monitoring and evaluation also indicate for taking corrective measure at appropriate time. The ill effects may be controlled by taking step at right time for right cause. The monitoring & evaluation schedule and plan proposed is as under.
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11.1 Water Quality Stations (WQS): The water quality monitoring will include following parameters, which shall be monitored at monthly interval or as and when required. The one complete unit to be purchased and identified parameters to be monitored at defined sampling stations. The sampling station is: Bharalu River near Pragjyotish college. The parameters to be monitored are as follows. 1 pH 6 Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 2 Turbidity 7 Faecal coliform 3 Conductivity 8 Total coliform 4 Temperature 5 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Most of the parameters will be monitored manually and will be incorporated in database. 12. Public Mass awareness etc. Any river conservation project to be implemented successfully, public awareness is of utmost importance. Unless the public are made aware about the irreversible damage and pollution caused by indiscriminate littering and dumping of waste and garbage in drain and water bodies connected to Bharalu River, the project cannot be implemented in true sense of the word to achieve conservation. Some members of the communities are already aware that there is a need for river conservation programme and that they will be benefitted. Hence, it should be ensured with the following points The communities are effectively involved in all the stages of the project cycle from conceptualization, to preparation, to finalization, to implementation and finally O & M. Public Awareness & Public Participation should be affront-end activity of the project The entire programme of conservation should be conceived, formulated, implemented, monitored and evaluated in close consultation with the stake holding communities.
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Therefore, education and awareness programmes are key to the sustainability of the various components implemented as part of the river restoration project.
13. Action Plan Table XV: Action Points
Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores)
a) Strict observation/ monitoring of
industrial
effluent/waste water discharge strictly for compliance. b) Stringent action against non- 3 Months Industries complying industrial (August, 2019 NIL To units October, 2019) c) No industry should operate or continue manufacturing process unless they possess valid permission for Pollution Control ground water Board Assam extraction from Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) d) Small service providing units like street food selling vendors, laundry etc should not be allowed to dispose solid, liquid or semi- liquid wastes directly into the drains or sewers. e) Set up online monitoring system 32 | P a g e
Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) in the major industries. f) To stress all the industrial units to adopt cleaner technology and take appropriate measures for reduction of effluent, recycling and reuse of treated water g) Directions has been issued for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in the major polluting industrial units a) The quality of waste water flowing in the drains of identified
polluted stretch have
to be analysed and studied to assess the drain wise characteristics of
waste water. PCBA/ Municipal b) Concerned Corporation/ Interception departments should ULBs/ 2 Years and treatment design the District (August,2019 111.5 of raw sewage installation of Administration/ to
Sewage Treatment Water Resource July, 2021) Plant (STP) based Department on flow details of the drains and utilization capacity and ensure that each households are connected to the sewers as applicable.
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Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) c) Sewage Treatment Plant should also consider treatment and disposal of sewage for river catchment area settlement including discharge from toilets constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission d) To trap the discharge using strainers before falling into river. e) Channelization including diversion of sewage generated from households to sewer lines/interception of all the drains presently carrying sewage and for ensuing proper treatment through the upcoming STPs. f) Local administration should provide pucca latrines to all the households through Individual Households Latrines (IHHL) Scheme under Swachh Bharat Mission. a) Conducting survey
regarding ground
water usage by
category wise such PCBA/CGWA
as domestic, 34 | P a g e
Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) community, industries etc. and also identification of over exploited and
critical blocks in the river stretches with respect to the Ground Water ground water Assessment extraction. Continuous 0.5 b) Carry out
assessment of
ground water survey 6 Months in the catchment (February,2020 area of the identified to polluted stretch once July, 2020) in a year to ensure quality. c) All the industries should have valid NOC from CGWA. d) To promote roof top rain water harvesting by the industrial, commercial including individual households thereby recharging the ground water. e) Directions to be issued that no industries should inject their treated effluent for ground water recharging. a) Conservation of the river through watershed Flood Plain management. 6 Months Zone b) Cleaning of the river Soil Conservation (February,2020 bed and bank. Department/Water to c) Afforestation on Resource/ July, 2020) 35 | P a g e
Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) both the banks to Municipal prevent soil erosion Corporation /Forest d) Recreational Department/ activities to be Tourism promoted. Department/PWD e) Erection of pathway Assam/District of the river banks. Administration f) Prohibition of 1.0 disposal of municipal, plastic, biomedical and other wastes in the polluted stretch of the river bank g) Demarcation of the flood plain zone. h) Checking /removal of encroachment in the flood plain zone Revenue To be decided of the polluted river Department/District by the stretch Administration Government
The plan for the polluted stretches of the river may be implemented in a time
bound manner by
fragmenting activities as 3 Months a) Modification of (August,2019
consent conditions to Pollution Control in and around the October, 2020) Board Assam polluted stretches. NIL b) Surveillance of c) Monthly sources of pollution Basis in contrast to the norms. c) Assessment of water quality of the polluted stretches on monthly basis has already been
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Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) commencing d) The monitoring committee may convene meeting of Stakeholder organizations on Quarterly basis with under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary a) Prohibition of direct disposal of solid waste in the river Guwahati 3 Months
banks. Municipal (November, Solid Waste Corporation/ Water 2019 0.4 b) Frequent River Resource to Surface cleaning by Department January, 2020) removal of debris, plastics etc. a) Flow measurement of the river should be carried out by the
concerned
department and the record has to be maintained b) Fresh water flowing Environmental through escape Water Resource Continuous 0.1 Flow channels/small Department barrages should be checked. c) The river can be of good potential for irrigation practices and should be carried out by the farmers. a) Awareness Public programs to Environment & Awareness highlight the issues Forest Department Continuous 0.1
related with the /UDD/GMC direct discharge of
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Type Action Points Responsible Time Targeted Cost Authority Estimate (In crores) solid waste and open defecation. b) Mass awareness to conserve water. 113.6 Total Budget Estimate crores
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